Product Designer Mechatronics

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Designer - Mechatronic Systems

Company: Tigercat | MacDonald Steel

Location: Brant, ON, Canada & Cambridge, ON, Canada

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Engineering / Product Design

Date Posted: 2026-05-29T04:00:00

Experience Level: 2-5 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and develop cutting-edge mechatronic systems for heavy-duty forestry equipment, integrating mechanical, hydraulic, and electronic components.

• Drive innovation in electro-hydraulic and computer-controlled systems, enhancing operator interfaces and service technician usability.

• Conduct rigorous design validation through stress analysis, vibration testing, and control logic simulations to ensure optimal performance and durability.

• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering and manufacturing teams to translate complex designs into production-ready equipment.

• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, identifying opportunities for design optimization, cost reduction, and enhanced efficiency in rugged terrain machinery.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Product Designer," the responsibilities clearly indicate a strong focus on Mechatronics and Mechanical Engineering design within a heavy industry context, rather than traditional UI/UX product design. The role requires hands-on engineering contributions to physical products.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Create detailed mechanical engineering designs, drawings, and specifications for robust forestry equipment, focusing on performance, safety, and industry compliance.

• Develop and integrate electro-hydraulic and computer-controlled systems, incorporating sensors, input devices, and sophisticated control logic for mobile machinery.

• Design intuitive and efficient user interfaces for both equipment operators and service technicians.

• Select appropriate materials and components based on mechanical properties, manufacturing feasibility, and cost-effectiveness.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including design engineers, manufacturing specialists, and quality control personnel, to ensure seamless product integration and production.

• Perform and analyze results from tests such as stress analysis, fatigue testing, vibration analysis, and control logic validation to confirm design integrity and performance.

• Generate comprehensive technical documentation, including detailed design specifications, control logic diagrams, and accurate bills of materials (BOMs).

• Proactively identify and implement opportunities for design optimization, cost reduction, and improvements in overall equipment efficiency.

• Provide hands-on support for troubleshooting during fabrication and assembly processes.

• Offer field support for equipment diagnostics and improvement initiatives when required.

• Undertake occasional travel within Canada and internationally for research, field support, and professional development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of design, analysis, testing, and practical support, indicating a role that requires both theoretical knowledge and hands-on problem-solving abilities. The emphasis on "rugged and challenging terrain" and "forestry industry" is critical for understanding the operational context and required robustness of the designs.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Previous design experience in industries similar to forestry, such as mobile heavy-duty equipment for construction, transportation, mining, oil and gas, material handling, landscaping, land clearing, and farming is a significant asset.

Required Skills:

• Strong understanding of engineering principles, control logic, mobile computer systems, user interface design, low-power electrical design, and mobile hydraulic systems.

• Proficiency in 3D modeling software, specifically SolidWorks.

• Excellent problem-solving abilities and strong mechanical aptitude.

• Effective communication and reasoning skills for cross-functional collaboration and project teamwork.

• Adaptability to a dynamic work environment, managing competing demands and unexpected changes.

• Ability to balance visual appeal with practical functionality in product design.

• Proactive approach to staying updated on emerging technologies and continuous learning for innovation.

Preferred Skills:

• Design experience in welded steel fabrications (manual and robotic).

• Expertise in hydraulic cylinders, components, control valves, and plumbing details.

• Experience implementing advanced hydraulic power and electronic control systems, sensors, and controllers.

• Familiarity with diesel engine installations and vehicle drive train/axle component selection.

• Experience designing attachments for heavy equipment, considering load distribution, stress analysis, material selection, and ease of installation.

• Knowledge of machine control theory, sensor technologies, remote control, and autonomous control systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a practical, hands-on approach to engineering design. While a Bachelor's degree is preferred, the detailed breakdown of required and preferred skills suggests that relevant experience and a strong understanding of the core mechatronic and mechanical principles can be highly valuable, especially if demonstrated through a strong portfolio.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements